At Singhal Centenary in Kolkata, Suvendu Promises UCC Soon.

Ashok Singhal Birth Centenary: Suvendu Announces UCC, ‘Love Jihad’, ‘Land Jihad’ Law for Bengal Within Six Months.

Bengal CM invokes Ram Janmabhoomi movement, promises protection of Sanatani traditions; ₹1,000-crore religious tourism circuit announced…

Upananda Brahmachari | HENB |  Kolkata | October 4, 2026:: West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Sunday announced that his government would introduce a Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in the state and enact stringent legislation against what he described as “love jihad” and “land jihad” within six months, drawing a direct parallel with BJP-ruled Uttarakhand and Gujarat.

Adhikari made the announcement while addressing a large gathering at the Uttirna Auditorium in Alipore, Kolkata, organised to commemorate the birth centenary of late Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) president and Ram Janmabhoomi movement leader Ashok Singhal (27 September 1926 – 17 November 2015).

The programme brought together senior VHP and RSS functionaries, monks, former karsevaks and supporters of the Ram Janmabhoomi movement. The packed auditorium also witnessed the honouring of Prunima Kothari, elder sister of Ram and Sharad Kothari, the two Karsevaks who were killed during the 1990 Ayodhya movement.

‘Give us six months’: CM promises UCC and stringent laws

Referring to the legislative initiatives undertaken by Uttarakhand and Gujarat, Adhikari said Bengal would follow the same path.

“Give us six months, we will also bring stringent laws against love and land jihad,” he told the gathering, while promising that his government would remain guided by the Constitution.

The Chief Minister said the proposed UCC would seek to establish a common civil framework for citizens in matters governed by personal laws. The state has already constituted a high-level committee headed by former Supreme Court judge Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai to examine a draft UCC for West Bengal.

According to the state government’s notification, the proposed legislation is intended to bring greater uniformity in laws relating to marriage, divorce, inheritance and adoption across communities. The UCC was also among the principal promises made by the BJP during the 2026 West Bengal Assembly election campaign.

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‘No attack on Sanatani traditions, temples or heritage’

Adhikari said his government would not permit attacks on Indian culture, Sanatani traditions, temples, monasteries or the country’s spiritual heritage.

“You can rest assured that the government will function in accordance with the Constitution. But it will not allow any attack on Indian culture, Sanatani traditions, temples and monasteries, and our heritage that spiritual icons Vivekananda and Mahaprabhu Sri Chaitanya have propounded,” he said.

He also warned against what he termed “anti-national activity” and alleged that attempts were being made to destabilise the government.

“This government will not allow any anti-national activity here. A conspiracy is on to topple the nationalist government,” Adhikari said, urging people to remain united and vigilant against what he described as “divisive forces”.

In a reference to his political opponents, he used the Bengali expression “chharpoka” (bugs), saying that such elements were “mushrooming everywhere” and should not be taken lightly.

Mamata government accused of hurting Hindu sentiments

Reflecting on the political change in Bengal, Adhikari attributed the previous government’s defeat to what he alleged was its failure to respect Hindu religious sentiments.

He claimed that the Mamata Banerjee government had “hurt the sentiments of Hindu religion, Hindu gods and goddesses, Hindu organisations and culture”, and said that the electoral defeat was the consequence of those policies within the democratic process.

Adhikari also recalled his own association with the Ram Janmabhoomi movement, saying that he had participated as a volunteer during his student days. He further referred to his role as Leader of the Opposition between 2021 and 2026, during which, he claimed, he had repeatedly raised allegations concerning atrocities against Hindus in Bengal.

₹1,000-crore religious tourism circuit

The Chief Minister also outlined his government’s plans for developing a religious tourism circuit in West Bengal.

According to Adhikari, the project would be completed within two years with an allocation of ₹1,000 crore. He appealed to religious organisations and members of the public to offer suggestions and cooperate in developing the project.

He also announced two major mass religious programmes. A collective recital of the Hanuman Chalisa involving around 20,000 people is planned at Netaji Indoor Stadium in November, while a mass Gita recital involving approximately 10 lakh participants has been announced for December 29, 2026.

Ashok Singhal remembered as force behind Ram Janmabhoomi movement

A major theme of the centenary programme was Ashok Singhal’s contribution to the Ram Janmabhoomi movement and his efforts to bring Hindu religious leaders together.

VHP International President Adv. Alok Kumar recalled Singhal’s distinctive role in mobilising Hindu monks and saints and religious leaders and bringing them together as a formidable force during the Ram Janmabhoomi temple movement.

Alok Kumar also appeared to signal that the broader temple movement could witness renewed mobilisation around Kashi and Mathura in the coming months.

The programme thus placed Singhal’s organisational legacy within the larger trajectory of the Hindu temple movement, with speakers highlighting the importance of maintaining organisational networks at the grassroots level.

RSS calls for stronger VHP network across Bengal

RSS Kshetra Pracharak Jaladhar Mahato called for expanding Hindu organisational activities across the state and urged the VHP to establish a stronger presence and own establishment at every district headquarters.

He emphasised the need to develop an extensive organisational network so that Hindu organisations could work more effectively at the grassroots.

Distinguished guests included VHP International President Adv. Alok Kumar, Revered monks Bandhu Gaurav Brahmachari and Swami Nirgunananda, RSS Kshetra Pracharak Jaladhar Mahato and other senior representatives of Hindu organisations.

Kothari family member honoured

Prunima Kothari, elder sister of Ram and Sharad Kothari, was honoured during the programme in recognition of the sacrifice of the two brothers, who became prominent figures of the Ram Janmabhoomi movement after their deaths during the Ayodhya mobilisation in 1990.

Several Karsevaks who had participated in the 1990 and 1992 Ram Janmabhoomi movement were also present at the centenary gathering, adding a direct connection with the historical mobilisation to the event.

The Uttirna Auditorium remained packed throughout the programme, reflecting the strong participation of VHP, RSS and other Hindu organisations and supporters.

Supporters of the VHP from districts across South Bengal thronged the event, making it a grand success.

The organisers also arranged a buffet-style huge Prasad distribution system for the participants.

From Singhal’s legacy to Bengal’s new political agenda

The centenary celebration ultimately combined remembrance of Ashok Singhal’s role in the Ram Janmabhoomi movement with the presentation of a broader political and cultural agenda for Bengal.

For the state government, the proposed UCC, legislation against “love jihad” and “land jihad”, protection of temples and monasteries, promotion of religious tourism and large-scale religious programmes are being projected as elements of a new governance approach centred on constitutionalism alongside the protection of Bengal’s Sanatani cultural heritage.

The announcements at a programme dedicated to Singhal also underscored the continuing influence of the Ram Janmabhoomi movement’s organisational legacy on the political discourse of contemporary West Bengal.
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